Steps at Brighton seafront melted during the heatwave because they were repaired using the wrong type of asphalt.

The steps were resurfaced earlier this month and were fenced off again this week when workmen moved in to do the job again. Angry seafront traders said the upheaval had damaged business during the peak season.

Lisa Stephenson, of the Albion Gift Shop, said: "As you looked at the steps it looked like it was all dripping but it wasn't, it was all hard.

"The people who were repairing it said it was a wrong kind of asphalt. They looked awful. It did look like the steps had melted in the sun."

The steps lead to the Esplanade near the bottom of West Street, one of the busiest parts of the seafront.

Mrs Stephenson said traders had been sent letters by Brighton and Hove City Council earlier in the summer asking them not to do any repairs on their premises during the peak season.

She said: "I don't know why they have suddenly decided to do it now when it has lasted four weeks without looking good.

"It is our last week really and they have already had it shut for two weeks right at the beginning of the summer holidays. This is when we make all our money."

The council said the asphalt had melted because of the hot weather. A spokeswoman said contractors had used non-porous material to surface the steps, which was not compatible with the steps themselves.

She said: "It appears to us it was a genuine mistake. Obviously the contractor is undertaking the work again and we will get them open again as quickly as possible."

The steps were repaired as part of the refurbishment of the West Street public lavatories.

Thursday August 28, 2003